Texans vs. Titans Week 7: 5 Matchups to Watch as Houston Invades Music City

The Houston Texans (3-3) will enter LP Field Sunday afternoon to challenge the Tennessee Titans (3-2) for sole possession of the AFC South lead.

The Titans haven't made the playoffs since 2008 and the Texans have yet to make the postseason in their franchise's history.

Winning Sunday would be a huge step toward the playoffs and, more importantly, winning the division.

Ahead are five matchups to watch for in the key divisional matchup.

Jacoby Jones vs. Titans Special Teams

The Tennessee Titans were exposed over a series of mental lapses on special teams plays last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After going up 3-0 on their opening drive, the Titans allowed Antonio Brown to bring the ensuing kickoff back 52 yards to the 50-yard line, putting Pittsburgh in immediate scoring position. The Steelers went on to score, making the game 7-3, and didn't look back from there as they routed Tennessee 38-17.

The last player the Titans want to see coming off such a pitiful performance is fifth-year return man Jacoby Jones.

The speedy returner brought back a punt 79 yards for a touchdown Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts and has 186 yards over 16 returns on the season. The Titans must contain Jones if they hope to stay in the game.

Arian Foster vs. Titans Defensive Line

The Tennessee Titans have only allowed one touchdown through five games and rank seventh in total rush defense.

After a blistering season last year, Arian Foster has only rushed for 100 yards once in 2011—Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he rushed for 155 yards on 30 carries.

The Titans must force Matt Schaub to put the ball in the air and take away the Houston Texans' biggest threat if they want any opportunity to control the time of possession.

Kevin Walter vs. Cortland Finnegan

Houston's Kevin Walter had some choice words for Tennessee defensive back Cortland Finnegan Friday afternoon before his trip to LP Field.

Walter should be ready to back up his words as the Houston Texans will be playing without their star receiver Andre Johnson for the third consecutive game.

The nine-year vet Walter has caught more passes than any other receiver on the team during Johnson's absence and should expect to be hounded by the physical Finnegan all afternoon.

Titans Tight Ends vs. Texans Linebackers

All three tight ends on the Tennessee Titans 2011 roster have caught passes for touchdowns.

Daniel Graham has a four-yard grab for a touchdown, Craig Stevens has a 12-yard touchdown under his belt (while also snagging a season-long 58-yard pass), and Jared Cook has a team-leading 80-yard TD reception.

Craig Stevens is expected to return from a rib injury that held him out of the Week 5 tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so the Titans should be at full strength at tight end. His addition should also upgrade the run game—or lack thereof. 

The Texans will be missing Mario Williams, who is out for the season with a chest injury, but held the Baltimore Ravens tight ends to four catches for 29 yards in Week 6.

If the Titans can exploit the Texans' depleted linebacking corps, they should be able to move the ball effectively.

Chris Johnson vs. Texans Defense

It is considered do-or-die on Chris Johnson's 2011 season as he enters Week 7. 

Johnson showed flashes of brilliance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, rushing for over 100 yards for the first time all season, but fell off once again against the Pittsburgh Steelers, barely eclipsing the 50-yard mark in Week 5.

CJ2K has been historically successful against the Houston Texans, rushing for 130, 151 and 197 yards in three of his last four games.

The Texans defense has allowed five touchdowns and 107 yards per game to opposing running backs according to NFL.com.

With Craig Stevens returning and the Titans facing a depleted Houston defense, Johnson could be in store for his first biggest day of the 2011 season.